Method for machining profiles such as door or window frame profiles and corresponding machine for machining, profiles, such as profiles of frames and leaves of doors or windows

ABSTRACT

Method for machining profiles such as door or window frame profiles and corresponding machine for machining profiles, such as door or window frame and leaf profiles.  
     The machine consists in starting from a previously cut profile, machining this through a succession of operations by automatic means, the operations being as follows:  
     basically setting out the profiles in the position for machining  
     holding the profiles  
     supplying the profiles for machining  
     machining at the ends of the profile, and possibly at a position located between said ends  
     return of the profile and  
     delivering the profile to the exit outlet for finished material.  
     The machine consists of an assembly fitted with a central part that is mobile in respect of a further two parts on both sides of this, which hold the dies and profile suppliers, having devices between these for securing the profiles, machining and ejecting these.  
     For application in machining frame profiles.

[0001] Method for machining profiles such as door or window frame profiles and corresponding machine for machining profiles, such as profiles of frames and leaves of doors or windows.

[0002] The technical field involved in this invention is that of machining parts which constitute the profiles with which the frames of windows or doors and the leaves of these are formed.

[0003] The assembly of metal carpentry frames or similar requires making a number of perforations at the ends of these for securing the joining items such as screws or rivets. This securing often requires the insertion of inner pieces on said profiles to reinforce and hold the profiles together.

[0004] It is also necessary to perform a further machining operation on each of said profiles and particularly the one for fitting the handle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

[0005] There is already a well-known robot-operated machine for machining profiles of door and window frames and leaves, on which each of the perforations, recesses and slots that each profile requires to be assembled and carry out its functions is made by means of a tool. This machine has two essential disadvantages. The first is that the tool works bathed in oil. This is an extremely serious disadvantage for the later aesthetics of the window or door. Dealers cannot sell an oily window or door. Systematically cleaning a production run is a very arduous task. The second disadvantage involved is that each of the operations is performed from a point “0”, carrying out each of the machining tasks, perforations, slots, recesses, one by one. Two disadvantages stem from this, which are firstly that, if there were to be just a millimetre error in the cutting of the profile, the machining of the end opposite point “0” would be displaced in respect of the end, that is, where the joints of the profiles are inserted, and the part would thus be faulty. The other consists in the slow speed of operations for this reason. The system having to be one by one indicates that the time of each operation depends on the specific job. It also proves difficult to estimate production times. By working with a tool, this machine means that after a few operations said tool must be replaced with another sharpened or suitable one. Holding up the work of the machine for each maintenance operation is also a disadvantage, without which it would prevent performing machining operations in conditions acceptable for the market.

[0006] This invention aims to provide a method for machining frame profiles which, starting from pre-cut profiles, includes the following operations:

[0007] Adjustment of supports sustaining feed guides which form an assembly feeding the length of the profiles to be machined;

[0008] programming the machining process;

[0009] arranging the profiles in the feed assembly.

[0010] And successively, (once for each profile to be machined), the following operations:

[0011] taking a profile from the feed assembly, by means of a profile supplier, carried out by movement of this from the feeder to the machining position, and securing the remaining profiles located in the feed assembly;

[0012] placing the profile to be machined in the machining position;

[0013] adjusting and securing the profile in the machining position;

[0014] selecting the set of dies to be used, depending on the machining design required;

[0015] inserting the dies and female dies selected;

[0016] machining (die-stamping) at the ends and possibly machining (die stamping) in a central position (located between the two ends), by means of a central assembly that is mobile in respect of two sides;

[0017] removing the dies;

[0018] ejecting the profile from the machining point;

[0019] collecting the machined profile by means of a collector;

[0020] moving the profile to the outlet zone;

[0021] The method includes a double centring means, from one end to the other, which facilitates the work even if there were to be any small measuring differences in respect of the ideal, which would on assembly be concealed or absorbed by the clearances proper to said parts.

[0022] This also refers to a machine for machining profiles, such as profiles of door or window frames and leaves.

[0023] In order to make the following explanation clearer, three sheets of drawings are adjoined, representing the essence of this invention in three figures, in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 shows a general perspective view of the machine of the invention, provided with a cover and a safety barrier;

[0025]FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the same machine in which the cover has been removed;

[0026]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one of the machining assemblies for one of the ends of the profiles to be machined;

[0027]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a central machining assembly (in any position between the ends);

[0028]FIG. 5 shows a detail of the central machining assembly;

[0029]FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a machining assembly of the other end of the profile to be machined, in which the means for feeding the profiles are shown; and

[0030]FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the machining assembly of FIG. 6 from another angle.

[0031] In accordance with the embodiment represented in said figures, 2 represents a base or bed, which can be covered by a protection cover 2, against which, hinged in respect of side supports 3, there is a protection barrier 4, so that, complying with safety norms, the machine is locked against any movement when this is pulled down.

[0032] On the base or bed 1 there is at least one machining assembly 5, set at one of the ends, and preferably also at least a second machining assembly 6 at the opposite end.

[0033] Given that the profiles are not always of the same size, at least one of the machining assemblies 6 has been designed to be mobile in respect of the other one, for which purpose guides 7 have been included to let said machining assemblies 5 and 6 move together.

[0034] An additional machining assembly 8 has also been designed, for operation between the two ends of the profile, and which can be brought closer or taken away from the profile to be machined thanks to guides 9 fitted for this purpose, perpendicular to the pulling guides 7.

[0035] The machining assembly 8 as well as its corresponding guides 9 can also be moved along the pulling guides 7.

[0036] The machine has a set of guides 10, 11 for inserting the profiles to be machined, located, in accordance with the embodiment represented, linked with each of the end machining assemblies 5 and 6.

[0037] When a set of profiles to be machined is placed on the guides 10 and 11 fitted on the machine, which should preferably have a “V” shaped profile with openings facing each other matching the shape of the ends of the profile, and a mechanism for securing the profile column is activated, only the one at the bottom is allowed to drop, this being picked up by a clamp 13, taken to the machining position, to be machined and removed by the same clamps 13, after which it is picked up by a collector 14 and left in the outlet guides 12.

[0038] The clamps 13 held by arm 35 have two movements, one forward for collecting the part and holding this while it is machined, and one for withdrawing to release the part, when the collector 14 has already held the machined profile. The clamps open to pick up and remove the profiles, and close for moving these to the machining position and during this machining process.

[0039] The collector 14 has a ridge at the front, which facilitates separating the profile from the clamp 13.

[0040] What is described herein for each side of the machine is of course also fitted on the opposite side, meaning that the operations are simultaneous on each of the sides.

[0041] The machining assembly 5 has a support 15 for a pneumatic cylinder 24. The pneumatic system acts on the die holder assembly 16 (one of the parts), this assembly being able to be moved to the machining position, to later be withdrawn on the clamps 13 and on the collector 14, as well as in the selection of the die stamping dies, of which there may be more than one.

[0042] The central machining assembly 8 has a support body 17 which is placed on items 18, which can slide along the guides 9. On guides 19 there is a fixed support 21, which will hold pneumatic means acting through hole 22 on the body 20, which will slide through the action of said pneumatic means towards the support body 17, so that when the die and female die chosen are placed in their housing 23, and after transversally moving until the profile is gripped, said profile is machined in its central zone (in any position between the ends).

[0043] The mobile machining assembly 6 (both ends could also be mobile) is able to slide along the guides 7 by guide followers 34 and has in turn pneumatic means 25 held on a part 32, able to be moved with the die holders to the profile for machining and later withdrawn, for fitting the relevant set of dies, between the mobile element 31 and the corresponding fixed part 33, and where part 30 holds the pneumatic pushing means.

[0044] As for the mobile machining assembly 5, clamps 13 are located on this as well as a collector 14 whose function has already previously been described.

[0045]29 shows a device for small-scale adjustment of the guide on the profile, this adjustment device being used to prevent any small gaps which might be left by the large-scale adjustment of the full machining assembly 6.

[0046] For removing a profile there is a retainer 28 which presses against the penultimate profile and thus holds all the ones above it with this, allowing the last one to drop through gravity until this is picked up by a rod joined to bodies 26 and 27 until the clamps 13 pick this up and hold it for machining.

[0047] Each of the die holders arranged on each of the machining assemblies can consist of one or more die assemblies. In the event of there being several assemblies, there are means for placing these in accordance with the machining requirements.

[0048] The use of sets of several dies allows replacement with no need for any mechanical operation on the machine.

[0049] The machine has a control system for controlling, amongst others, the positioning of the machining assemblies holding the corresponding feed and outlet guides, selecting the type of machining which will determine the set of dies to be used for each machining assembly and selecting whether a central machining operation should be performed (done on one of every so many profiles, which will be the one to take the handle).

[0050] Each of the movements of the profiles requires each of the sensors fitted for this purpose to be excited. In the event of one of these not being excited, the machine stops, since if a profile has gone in and the exit has not been detected, its movement could give rise to a fault.

[0051] To sum up, the machine has:

[0052] A programming module which carries out the following functions:

[0053] Establishing the measurement of the profile length.

[0054] Establishing the cutting distances. These distances are measured from the ends. This thus makes it easier for any errors in the length (one or two millimetres) to still allow proper assembly of the mitres, where applicable, given that on these the connecting part which reinforces the angle requires a pre-set distance to the end.

[0055] Allowing the selection of the dies which will operate in the event of these being selective, or in other cases facilitating die changing.

[0056] Allowing perforations to be made, flattening operations and on a number of parts, the slots for installing the cremorne bolt or espagnolette.

[0057] The machine operating system involves the following steps:

[0058] Positioning the machine in respect of the profile; dimensions and manufacturing programme are implemented in this program.

[0059] By being formed of two parts, one at each end of the machine, the feeder is designed exactly to the size of the profile as explained above, with one of the frame members 6 being located on the fixed part 2 and the other on part 4 located at the other end.

[0060] Selection of the die which should operate through the double piston 15.

[0061] Programming the cremorne bolt cutting where applicable.

[0062] Its operation takes place:

[0063] a) By insertion of a set of profiles of identical size between the frame members 6.

[0064] b) By movement of the profile suppliers 12 towards the central part.

[0065] c) By securing the profile to the central part and by insertion in said profile of the lateral dies, whose frame members can move in this direction by means of pistons 23.

[0066] d) By gripping the dies on the press tools so that these do not damage or bend the profiles.

[0067] e) By pneumatically loading the press tools which are triggered in a single operation.

[0068] f) By ejecting the part by means of the pneumatic cylinder 20 located on the central body.

[0069] g) By collection by means of collectors 18 which are extended by pneumatic pistons 17 and which, when withdrawing, let the part drop into the finished product tray formed by the guide for outlet of the profiles at the end 4.

[0070] h) By each profile passing by sensors which allow the following part to be fed in.

[0071] This is not possible if there is such a number of parts that the following one does not fit on the outlet tray.

[0072] The machine stops even though there is space in the finished part magazine, if there are no parts in the supplier, this being detected by the relevant sensor.

[0073] Obviously both the method and the machine may include a prior stage, outside the scope of this invention, in which this starts from a continuous profile and the cutting is done as part of the same process.

[0074] This is for use in industrial applications, in machining profiles and in machines for machining profiles. 

1. Method for machining door and window frame and leaf profiles starting from cut profiles, characterised in that this consists of the following cyclic operations, according to pre-set parameters: adjusting the distance between the feed guides in which the profiles are set out and arranging the profiles in said feed guides, and successively: placing these in their machining position holding them in the machining position adjusting the machining heads against the ends of the profile machining (die-stamping) the ends ejecting the profile.
 2. Method, according to claim 1, characterised in that the phase for machining the ends of the profile also includes a central die stamping operation in each of the cycles in which this is programmed, performed simultaneously with the lateral die-stamping operations.
 3. Method, according to claim 1, characterised in that feeding from a set of profiles also consists of taking the profiles by a profile supplier by movement of the latter from the feeder to the working point, where these are adjusted and held in the machining position during the machining stage.
 4. Method, according to claim 1, characterised in that a selection of a set of dies available for the machining operations is performed, in accordance with pre-set parameters.
 5. Method, according to claim 1, characterised in that the machining is done after insertion of the dies or female dies in the gaps existing at the ends of the profile, after which the dies are moved out of the position in which the profile is located.
 6. Method, according to claim 1, characterised in that the removal of the profile from its machining position includes ejection by means of a pusher, collection by means of a collector and conveyance to the exit position.
 7. Machine for machining profiles, such as window or door frame or leaf profiles, characterised by having at least one lateral machining assembly (5,6) for the end of a profile, and preferably one at each side, with at least one of said assemblies being able to be moved in respect of the other for proper adjustment of these assemblies in respect of the length of said profile, with said machining assemblies (5,6) bearing the corresponding machining body.
 8. Method, according to claim 7, characterised by also having a machining assembly able to assume a variable position between the ends of the profile to be machined.
 9. Method, according to claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the machining body located on each of the machining assemblies is able to be adjusted to the profile for its machining and later withdrawn for the ejection of said profile and feeding a new profile.
 10. Method, according to claims 7 and 9, characterised in that each of the lateral assemblies (5,6) has means for locating and holding the part during its machining operations, consisting in a clamp (13) which is withdrawn to wait for a new profile or extended for taking a new profile, and whose ends are able to close for holding the profile in its machining position.
 11. Method, according to claims 7 and 8, characterised in that each of the lateral machining means have in turn a means for adjusting the machining head against the corresponding end of the profile to be machined.
 12. Machine, according to claims 7 and 9, and 11, characterised in that the machining tool is selected from a set of machining tools in accordance with selection by means of a control body according to the pre-set characteristics of the profile to be machined.
 13. Machine, according to claims 7 to 9, and 11 and 12, characterised in that the machining is performed by means of a die.
 14. Machine, according to claims 11 to 13, characterised because the die or female die is inserted from the end inside the part in the machining stage.
 15. Machine, according to claim 7, characterised by having, at the bottom of the guides, means (28) for securing the pile of profiles set out in the feed guides until a new profile is collected.
 16. Machine, according to claim 7, characterised by having means for removing the machined profile, consisting in moving arms (14) which hold the profile prior to removal of the clamp (13) and which drop until reaching the exit zone.
 17. Machine, according to claim 7, characterised by having means for controlling the supply of the profile to be machined. 